Not on My Agenda Part 1: Little Things Matter

Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 15:55-58; HEBREWS 10:24-25; JAMES 2:14-26

Do you have a responsibility that feels like it doesn’t matter? Part of my job is updating the township’s website. When we have public meetings, I upload what are called agendas (which describe the meeting’s subject matter) to the website. Not a big deal, right? Well one day, we had a board meeting where a very hot topic was being discussed. Citizens were up in arms, and what is usually a very relaxed meeting turned into a mess of questions and claims.

I attend the meetings to learn about and be involved in the community. I don’t have to say or do anything. So, you can understand my shock when all of a sudden someone says, “We didn’t know this whole issue was happening because the agenda wasn’t posted on the website.” Suddenly, I felt just as involved in this issue as the board members everyone was frustrated with. Was my not uploading the agenda a criminal offence? No. But the fact that I didn’t complete my “small” responsibility was adding gasoline to an already fiery flame.

Sometimes, as Christians, there are things that we feel aren’t a big deal. Do I really have to read my Bible? Do I really have to go to church? And while there isn’t a set of requirements for being a Christian—other than repenting of our sins and receiving God’s forgiveness through faith in Jesus—there are some things that are good for us to be part of. It’s good to read the Bible because it gives God more opportunities to speak to us. It’s good to go to church gatherings because it’s good to be with other believers, encouraging one another, worshipping God together, and learning more about Him. It’s even good just to pray before a meal because it helps us practice thankfulness. And, just like my little responsibility of posting the agenda, we might discover that those little habits make a bigger difference than we expected. • Natty Maelle

• Is there a particular Christian habit you’d like to do more? Maybe practicing silence, or prayer, or thankfulness? Sometimes, we don’t make something a priority because we don’t KNOW what the Bible says about it. On the other hand, have you ever tried to work on different habits or responsibilities and just ended up getting discouraged and giving up? You’re not alone. We’ve all done that. And Jesus is still with us—He knows we can’t follow Him in our own strength, and He is eager to help us through His Spirit, His Word, and His people. Who are trusted Christians who can help you dig into what the Bible says about certain topics, discern how Jesus might be inviting you to follow Him in your daily life, and encourage you when things get difficult?

…stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)